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She shook her head, her hair falling forward to shield her face.
"Please."
"I can't," she said jerkily.
"Why?"
"I can't say that either." Acacia tried freeing herself again, and her shock was palpable when he actually let her go. Her confused gaze flew up to his—
Don't wait until it's too late, and you've already lost everything.
And it was then he heard himself say, "Marry me."
Acacia's cheeks lost all color. "That's not funny."
"I know. It wasn't meant to be a joke."
She shook her head. "I d-don't know what game—-"
"Not a game either." He cupped her face, this time leaving her no choice but to look into his eyes so she could see the truth for herself. And then he said it again.
"Marry me, Acacia."
And the words felt more right than ever.
"If you're asking me out of pity—"
"Do I look like an idiot to you?"
A choked laugh escaped her even as her eyes filled with tears.
"Marry me."
"This is insane," she whispered. "People will think—"
"Who cares what other people think?"
"But—"
"Did you ever stop thinking about me since the last time we saw each other?"
She shook her head, a single tear tracking down her cheek.
"Neither did I, darling." He cupped her face, catching the tear with his thumb. "Neither did I."
"D-Do you really want to marry me?"
"More than I've ever wanted anything else."
"Why?"
It pained him to see the fear in her eyes as she whispered this.
"Why me when you could have anyone else?"
It was as if she was terrified to hear what he had to say—-
"There can be no one else, Acacia."